UMass Dartmouth student schools people about addiction with new group

FALL RIVER — When most people think of drug addiction, they don’t picture a bright, young college student hefting a book bag with track marked arms.

But, addiction doesn’t care about grade point average, history projects or plans for the future.

“It’s everywhere,” said University of Massachusetts Dartmouth nursing student Callie Nunez. “As students we see it more than faculty.”

Nunez, who has a personal stake in helping fight addiction, has started a local chapter of Young People in Recovery at the university and is working to educate people in the neighboring communities of Fall River and New Bedford, as well.

She said drug addiction and abuse is hurting and taking the lives of many young people.

One of Nunez’s goals is to train all nursing students in how to use naloxone, the drug that counteracts the effects of opioid overdose, and carry it in case of emergency.

She said there was a fatal drug overdose on campus in January, followed by a non-fatal overdose the next day.

“It was just a matter of time,” Nunez said. “I think younger adults are exposed to drugs more and have more pressure when it comes to using. I see this especially in college and high school because it’s cheap and it’s everywhere.”

Nunez is more than acquainted with the effects of drug addiction. Though she doesn’t use drugs, she has a brother who fought addiction.

He took “percs and pills” when he was in high school.

“It got bad when he got to college,” Nunez said.

Nunez’s brother has been sober for five years now, but her experience has deepened her compassion for those with addiction.

In her role as a student nurse at Charlton Memorial Hospital, she has also seen the effects of addiction on both the young and old.

“There’s not as much compassion or education for it,” Nunez said.

A senior, she plans to become a certified addiction nurse after graduation.

Nunez’s new chapter of Young People in Recovery was awarded as the breakout chapter of the year at the organization’s national conference held recently in Denver.

The group, made up of student nurses and others, took part in a recent vigil in Fall River, and a health fair in New Bedford.

It is bringing the already sold-out film “Generation Found” to the AMC Theater in Dartmouth later this month. Nunez said a second screening may be added. The film is about a community coming together to ignite youth addiction recovery.

“Recovery is possible and my goal with this club is to show and support that,” Nunez said.

Her mission is to spread hope and squash stigma, and help lead those afflicted with addiction toward recovery.

“I’m sick of loosing people and seeing the hurt this drug brings to thousands of individuals and families,” Nunez said.

To learn more about Youth in Recovery, visit youngpeopleinrecovery.org.